Hi,
I am 1/2 Inupiaq Eskimo.  My family is from Shaktoolik.  I, also, have some cousins who live in Bethel, Tununak, Soldotna, Unalakleet and Anchorage.  You are in NC?  I live in MA.  We just came back from 2 weeks in Alaska in mid July.  I decided to start the whole weight loss thing just about 3 weeks before leaving on our trip.  It was something which I had been thinking of doing for a long time but never had the nerve to do it.  What finally convinced me was that my husband and I were at a powwow and someone took a picture of us together.  I saw it about a week later.  I was totally appalled with how I looked.  I was embarassed for myself.  Anyway, I somehow managed to lose 15 pounds while we were in Alaska.  We did a lot of outdoor activities and I did watch what I was eating except it didn't quite line up with all the foods which I was supposed to be eating. (too many carbs and diet cokes!!!)When I had my next weight loss meeting with the dietician, I was told that I had to keep another month of food logs to prove to them that I could get the diet right.  I've lost 24 pounds right now which makes me extremely happy.  I have a surgery date of October 7th for a gastric bypass (not the lap band).  I am anxiously awaiting word from the insurance company on whether or not they will cover it.  How's goes your fight with your insurance?  I saw your post and I had to say hello.  Talk to you soon.  Write when you can.
~ Lorena

Hey there Colita.... I just found this board by looking around and found your message from a few weeks ago compelling.....while I am not sure of any advocate groups I think we should ban together and start looking....I had surgery almost three years ago and thankfully my insurance paid for it but if I would not have had this opp I am sure I would be so close to dying . I weighed almost 400 pounds and thankfully did not have diabetes but it runs rampant in my family including the death of my grandmother. My father is obese and diabetic with other ailments too....of course I had surgery for myself but also because I did not walk in the footprints of my family. While I did not lose all my weight (yet) it has so saved my life. I have recently married the love of my life that I would have never met without losing weight. I am a native and member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe in North Central MT and would be glad to join forces with you to help find an advocate or push to get one. Let me know if you are interested and I would love to connect. Our Indian Country could use a helping hand and save their lives.... Take care, Ann

Greetings from a Metis sister from Kanata - Born in Red Lake, Ontario - now living in Vancouver, BC, Canada. I am a new member and still learning about WL surgury. I also agree that Native Health Services or Public Health should help pay for the surgury. Hope it's ok to share some 411 and yahoo groups with all my relations. ------------------------------------------ www.NDNnews.com Thomas Greywolf Founder - American Indian Injustice Group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/American_Indian_Injustice http://msnbc.msn.com/id/13302722/ The Native Village website, http://www.nativevillage.org To email Senator Tim Johnson http://johnson.senate.gov/offices.html To mail or fax Senator Tim Johnson Washington Office: 136 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Phone (202) 224-5842 TDD (202) 224-8279 Fax (202) 228-5765 *Toll Free from anywhere in South Dakota*: 1-800-537-0025 Please include in ALL letters & emails your Name and mailing address. This is required info, without it, your letter will not be considered valid. Some suggested issues for the focus of your letters: The urgent need in Indian Country for housing and additional school classrooms The lack of available housing in Indian Country The substandard living conditions in the existing homes in Indian Country The South Dakota Reservations have the highest poverty rate in the country. In your letters, PLEASE BE RESECTFUL! Do not send hateful or bashing letters, it will only hurt our plea. Be respectful, use a intelligent basis on why they should help the people of Indian Country, state the urgency for housing and school houses in South Dakota. I have included some statistics and facts that I have. You may use the info provided to add to your letters. Change the wording if you wish, but keep the general basis the same. The Indian Housing Authority reports that it is not uncommon for 20 or more residents to live in a three-bedroom, one bath home with three or four generations under one roof. People regularly double up with family members and friends, waiting years until a home or apartment becomes available. The waiting list usually will include over 400 families waiting for rental and homeownership units (2003:342). The rate of homeownership on South Dakota reservations laggs substaintly behind the state of South Dakota's rate of 68.2 percent of the occupied housing units in the state. Beyond unemployment and underemployment, factors influencing this include the lack of willing lenders in the area and a lack of available housing. Conventional lenders will not loan money to build homes on trust land. Since nearly all federally recognized reservations' lands fall into this category, the majority of Native Americans are not able to secure these loans. Few people have the knowledge of how to overcome these barriers to develop housing on their own. In addition to overcrowding, many of the units available are in substandard condition. Some reservations have estimated that 24 percent of the Indian population resides in substandard housing" (SDHDA 2003:341). It is not uncommon for mobile home dealers to sell trailers on the reservation that would not be in acceptable condition to sell elsewhere in the state. Houses often lack working plumbing and functioning heaters. Some homes still use wood burning stoves to keep warm. Many of the homes have holes in the roof or floor. Often, families live in households that should have been condemned long ago, simply because there is no other place for them to go. For those of you that may be receiving this email and have not read the above mentioned article, please visit FEMA: Trailers not for Indian housing shortage MSNBC - Jun 13, 2006 ... not help Indian country relieve a housing or schoolroom shortage with the trailers not used after Hurricane Katrina. Sen. Tim Johnson, DS.D., suggested to FEMA ... I will also be generating a online petition addressed to FEMA, will forward that out later this evening. PLEASE CROSS POST & FORWARD!!!! LET'S FLOOD THEM WITH LETTERS! I already warned Senator Johnson's office that they will be flooded, they said GREAT, WE LOVE IT! If you have any questions, please email me direct at Tamra@... Thank you for your help! Tamra www.NDNnews.com "Providing news and information about Native American Issues & Causes" "Helping to make a difference for our people in Indian Country, one day at a time. What will you do today to help make a difference?" "Seek the creator in all the things you do. Cherish your time with one another. Develop your personal self discipline, which is the key to all success. Develop a sense of happiness within you that none can take away. Develop who you are and remain true to your higher self and your integrity will be an inspiration to others. Show your strengths when necessary, even if it is in being gentle or humble." Leonard Peltier, March 6, 2006 -- PLEASE cc me at: tetawin38@... During the week....can't get gmail at work!!! http://mysite.verizon.net/res7dwhg/ Home of NAMAPAHH First People's Radio Host/Producer Robin Carneen Thurs 7-8pm Sun 4-5pm PST New group: (my photo album location) http://spaces.msn.com/members/NativeRadio4all/ http://www.myspace.com/nativeradio4all http://www.inspiringthots.net/movie/9struggles.php --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Moonlight glances off hot stones passing thru the flap of the sweatlodge to begin The Talking Sticks' second round. Candlelight shimmers mingle with the twinkles of fireflies as they dance among the labyrinth stones. Moonlight glances off hot stones passing thru the flap of the sweatlodge to begin The Talking Sticks' second round. Can you picture yourself here? If you're looking for a community of fun-loving, open-minded, environmentally-conscious, botanically-inclined, Mother Earth Lovers, then you've come home! Welcome. JOIN OUR YAHOO GROUP TO KEEP INFORMED: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HealingTheEarth_HealingOurselves/ September 27th (for camping set-up) thru the 30th ( going home after noon closing ceremony) 2007, the hills and hollers will be alive with the sounds of laughter, healing, and positive energy. Alternative healers, environmental lovers of Mother Earth and diverse multicultural experts of Appalachian and Native American traditions. . This three-day camping event will take place in Confluence, Kentucky nestled in the majestic Appalachian Mountains. This vibrant young festival is just waiting to be discovered by one and all. Getting to this Gathering is better than an E Ride at Disney. If you enjoy pristine wilderness, beautiful Appalachian settings, and are wanting to get back to nature, come join us. Greetings All, Its that time of year again. Join the yahoo group below and prepare for the Gathering. I am holding a place for you. Please help by volunteering to teach, perform, or advertise. Linda The Gathering is approaching! Our Spirits are vibrating at a higher level so join us "Come Look Up At The Stars in the sky at night, and hear them cry in joy: Come and join us in the One! Here we are: Blazing forth in bliss. Now you may set aside your parts of pain. Take now parts of joy!". There is still room for vendors, workshops etc. Check "HEALING THE EARTH, HEALING OURSELVES FESTIVAL WEBSITE": Website: http://geocities.com/beyondyonderrd/festival BEYOND YONDER WEBSITE: http://beyondyonder.net JOIN OUR YAHOO GROUP TO KEEP INFORMED: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HealingTheEarth_HealingOurselves/ 606-672-6444

Hi-My name is Martha Dunn. I am completing my doctoral degree at Antioch New England Graduate School. My dissertation research project explores post bariatric surgery behavior, struggles and needs. If you have 10-15 minutes to complete the survey, it would be a big help to me. Also, if you have friends who've also had the surgery and could forward this message to them, that would be great. More in-depth details are on the link that follows and thank you in advance. Martha http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=60661940436

HEYA! its that time! one year later! whats up ndns!?